Latest news with #MassofThanksgiving
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kalamazoo cathedral holds mass for ‘Father Bob,' also known as Pope Leo XIV
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The Catholic faithful in Kalamazoo gathered at St. Augustine Cathedral Monday evening for a Mass of Thanksgiving as the excitement of a pope with real ties to West Michigan continues. Now 11 days after as the 266th successor of St. Peter, the joy is still evident. 'We were all so tickled when he came through the curtain,' parishioner Sharon Gregorski told News 8. 'All we could do is scream, 'It's Father Bob!'' New pope attended Catholic high school in West Michigan Former friends of Prevost communed with the congregation at St. Augustine Cathedral Monday and described the emotion of celebrating a new but familiar pope with their fellow faithful. 'The feelings were amazing. The joy was so tangible,' Gregorski added. 'Not only in the liturgy and music but even in people's responses and faces. They were so happy we have a pope we know.' Sharon and Deacon Roger Gregorski hail from Niles, where they interacted with the now-pope during his summer retreats in the area. They eventually accompanied 'Father Bob' on a now even more unforgettable journey. 'He agreed to be a spiritual leader on a pilgrimage to Rome,' Roger Gregorski explained. 'So, we were with him in several locations in Italy. One highlight was we celebrated mass with him in St. Peter's. So those are fond, fond memories. … None of us could have foreseen, but he certainly was a special person. He is the real deal, he's approachable, he's not pretentious, he's an amazing homilist. He's the whole package. So, we're savoring the moment.' 'Incredible': West Michigan seminarians in Rome as Pope Leo XIV elected Monday's mass was led by Bishop Edward Lohse, another former colleague of the new pontiff. The service sent prayers for Pope Leo XIV while celebrating the caliber of character he wields and weaves into his leadership. 'Just the speed with which Leo was elected was significant,' Lohse said. '(It showed) that what we are perceiving in him is obviously not just our perception. There was a whole College of Cardinals that saw the same thing. … He's calling for our authenticity and integrity and Christians. Talk is cheap — let's put it into action. Let's be the people we say we are. That's coming through very clear.' Lohse chose verses from Matthew Chapter 16 for the gospel reading Monday. Those verses contain the famous phrase from Jesus, 'On this rock I will build my church.' The bishop reminding everyone that mission from Jesus to Peter has been passed through each Pope through the ages in an unbroken chain leading to their friend and leader, 'Father Bob.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh bishop celebrates Pope Leo XIV with mass in Oakland
Hundreds filled the pews in Oakland at Saint Paul Cathedral to watch Bishop David Zubik give his 'Mass of Thanksgiving' for Pope Leo the 14th. Monday night, Bishop David Zubik said mass to a packed house of Pittsburgh Catholics and others who have excitement and hope about the new Pope. Ann Betters from the North Side said, 'That he is a missionary that he is looking out for the entire world and he is talking about service.' Jessica Lynch from Aspinwall said, 'Even more than the Catholic faith, just generally there's definitely a buzz and it's very exciting to have someone who grew up like a lot of us did, being a regular kid in America.' Born and raised in Chicago, Pope Leo also has ties to Pennsylvania. He graduated from Villanova University before becoming a priest. Later, he spent more than 20 years in Peru. Fred Egler of the Strip District said, 'He's a combination of being born in America but also has a lot of international experience he was a Bishop in Peru for many years he was the head of a large religious order so he traveled all over the world and then he spent time in Rome so it's unique combination.' The Bishop says Pope Leo's influence is already being felt across the church. Bishop David Zubik said 'I think he's begun to already give us the message that we need to work for peace together I think he's also made a lot of references that we've really gotta take a look at people who we've placed on the fringes of society and work to make them feel very much a part of the church.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local priest shares personal connection with Pope Leo XIV
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A Mass of Thanksgiving was held Friday at the Cathedral in downtown Syracuse for the election of the new pope. 'I never really thought I would see a day that there would be an American pope,' said Bishop Lucia. A man, Father John Oduor first met in 2005 in Kenya. But back then, he knew him as Father Prevost. 'I wanted to join the Augustinian community, so I joined them as a postulant studying philosophy way back in Nairobi in a little town called Langata, so that's when I met him,' said Fr. Oduor. Not your typical classroom: Students further careers at 100th FAA Convention Local priest shares personal connection with Pope Leo XIV Regional Market funding not included in the state budget Seneca Falls man arrested for threatening police and assault See 'Beetlejuice' on Thursday at the Landmark and support the United Way of CNY He says Pope Leo XIV stayed with them at the mission house for a few weeks. 'We just knew him like a priest, Father Bob. He was just like any other priest in the house and I can say that he's a very kind man. He was very kind,' said Fr. Oduor. Father Oduor also says he was quiet, but humble, with a great sense of humor. 'I can say he loved us. As students, you could feel that he loved us just like Augustinians. He would always tell us to leave together, stay as one. Love one another,' said Fr. Oduor. When Father Oduor heard who was chosen as the new pope, he says he was overcome with joy. 'I stood from my seat and I shouted Father Bob is the pope and I sat down, made a sign of the cross and I felt it,' said Fr. Oduor. 'To see Father Prevost rise from priesthood from a priest, to a prior general, to a bishop, to a cardinal, and now to a pope, what do you think, the holy spirit is telling you that he is chosen,' said Fr. Oduor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass of Thanksgiving for the election of Pope Leo XIV held at Holy Name Cathedral
CHICAGO — Catholics around the world are celebrating the historic appointment of Pope Leo XIV, especially in Chicago, where many feel a close connection to the new leader of the church, who has ties to the city's South Side. On Friday, Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral on the Near North Side hosted a Mass of Thanksgiving for the election of Pope Leo XIV and there was a sense of joy among those who gathered before and after Mass on the dawn of a new era for Catholics. Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as pope, says his election is a cross and a blessing 'My guess is he is going to be a good Pope. Each is a little different in the way they approach things, but my guess is he is a humble man and will try to lead the church like so many before have,' parishioner Mike Muldowney said. When word of white smoke was seen wafting above the Sistene Chapel Thursday, there may have been cheers from the thousands watching in St. Peter's Square, but it was jubilation in Chicago when Cardinal Robert Prevost walked out on the balcony as Pope Leo XIV. The new pope is from Chicago and folks don't know how to act Some who gathered on Friday believe the pope's ties to Chicago could influence him in his new role. 'I still think that midwestern values are something that are really driving the pope forward, it's his roots. I'm excited to see how this reflects on the community,' parishioner Marissa Mongoven said. Brother answers burning question: Is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan? Some parishioners who gathered on Friday for the special Mass of Thanksgiving said the new leader is renewing the faith of some Chicago Catholics. 'Been getting back into the swing of things and this is, like, well, that's maybe just more of a sign,' parishioner Bryan Kraus said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV: Holy Name Cathedral hosts special Mass for new pontiff
The Brief Catholics gathered at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago this morning for a special Mass celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost. The 69-year-old, born in Chicago and deeply rooted in the local Catholic community, became the first American pope following a 25-hour conclave. His brother and local leaders expressed pride in his historic rise, which marks a significant moment for the city and the global Church. CHICAGO - Catholics gathered in Chicago this morning at a special Mass to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV. The Mass of Thanksgiving took place at 8 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral on the city's Near North Side. Lawrence J. Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, will preside over the ceremony as the main homilist. The Mass will be streamed live in the media player at the top of this story. Local perspective Robert Prevost, 69, was chosen Thursday as the Catholic Church's new leader following a 25-hour papal conclave. He was born in Chicago and has extensive ties to the community. His mother was a librarian at Mendel Catholic High School in the Roseland neighborhood, where he eventually started his teaching career. Pope Leo XIV graduated from the city's Catholic Theological Union and served as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago between stints in Peru. He made his way back to his hometown, where, in 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the "Mother of Good Counsel" in Chicago. Local leaders showed their support for Pope XIV on Thursday following his election. What they're saying John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, spoke with FOX 32 on Thursday evening, sharing his pride and reflecting on his brother's historic election. "There are no words. It's overwhelming pride, but it's also overwhelming responsibility being the first American pope, from Chicago, and a relative," he said. The backstory Prevost was born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before taking his solemn vows and studying theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago in 1982. By 1985 he joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, where he served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas for one year. Between 1987 and 1988, he returned to the U.S., where he served as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago, before he returned to Peru for another 10 years to head the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and teach Cannon Law. Eventually, he made his way back to his hometown, where, in 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the "Mother of Good Counsel" in Chicago. Prevost was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians, the 13th century religious order founded by St. Augustine. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo. He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts the most Catholics. Pope Francis brought Robert Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. On Thursday, he ascended to become Pope Leo XIV — the first American pontiff. The Source The information in this story came from previous FOX 32 reporting and the Associated Press.
